Crime increases in Horsham, Yarriambiack and Hindmarsh shires in 2020

The number of criminal incidents in the Horsham municipality increased by 7.9 per cent, with 1,489 incidents recorded.

The Horsham region's rate of 7,470 incidents per 100,000 people was also well above the state average of 6,159.

The most common criminal offence was a breach of a family violence order, with 198 incidents, an increase on the 107 recorded the previous year.

Family incidents also increased dramatically by 17.9 per cent, from 474 incidents to 559.

The most common location of crimes in the 12-month period was houses, with 592 incidents, an increase on the 434 the previous year.

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Yarriambiack saw an 11.6 per cent increase of criminal incidents, with 338 recorded in the year to September.

Incidents in Warracknabeal far outweighed any other area, rising from 148 to 178 incidents.

Theft (37), residential non-aggravated burglary (31), breaching family violence order (29) and sexual offences (28) were the most common offences.

Yarriambiack Shire Mayor Graeme Massey said the increase was not of huge concern, but was "something to monitor".

"I wouldn't be overly concerned - police have not commented on an increase in crime," he said.

"We would certainly hope the trend doesn't continue and it is something to be aware of, but we would also need more information before we raise any alarm bells."

Cr Massey said the exceptional circumstances of 2020 may have also contributed to the statistics.

"Certainly it is a year we would rather forget, and potentially the new numbers could be affected by the strange year," he said.

The Hindmarsh Shire region saw an increase in criminal incidents of 6.2 per cent from the previous year.

The region had 287 criminal incidents in the year to September, most commonly occurring in Nhill (116) and Dimboola (107).

Theft was the most common offence, with 67 recorded incidents.

Family violence however fell by 3.9 per cent to 73 recorded incidents.

West Wimmera bucked the trend of its neighbouring municipalities, recording 12 per cent fewer criminal incidents.

Theft remained the most common of the 125 criminal incidents recorded, while Kaniva (48) was the most common place of crime.

The Northern Grampians crime rate remained steady, with a 0.3 per cent decrease on the previous 12-month period.

Incidents fell from 781

Criminal incidents in Stawell increased slightly from 474 incidents to 496.

Criminal damage (78) was the most frequent offence, closely followed by public health and safety offences (74).

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